How to grow potted cotton rose (Hibiscus mutabilis)? Latest care methods explained
The cotton rose is native to Hunan, China, and can be cultivated in many places - indoors in pots, in front of and behind courtyards, along roads and in parks. The cotton rose is a very beautiful flowering tree species, deeply loved by people since ancient times, with very high ornamental value, so how do you grow cotton rose? Let's take a look together.
The cotton rose is a deep-rooted plant with thick, slightly fleshy roots. It prefers a warm, humid, sunny environment, is also drought-tolerant, and slightly shade-tolerant. It is robust in nature and not demanding about soil, growing best in loose, breathable, well-drained sandy loam. For cultivation, choose a spot with good ventilation and fertile soil, especially near water.
?
The cotton rose can be propagated by cuttings, division or sowing. Cuttings are best taken from February to March. Choose moist sandy loam or clean river sand, and use 1- to 2-year-old vigorous branches 10 to 15 cm long as cuttings. Before inserting, soak the base of the cuttings in a potassium permanganate solution at a concentration of 3 to 4 g/L for 15 to 30 minutes. The insertion depth should be 2/3 of the cutting length. After insertion, water and cover with film to keep warm and keep the soil moist; roots will form in about 1 month, and flowers will appear the following year.
Environment: For pot soil selection, potted cotton rose is best grown in a larger porcelain pot or unglazed clay pot. It prefers a loose, fertile, well-drained and breathable substrate, and the pot soil should be kept moist during the growing season.
Soil: The cotton rose is not demanding about soil, but grows best in fertile, moist, well-drained sandy soil. It prefers fertile, moist sandy loam with good drainage.
Light: The cotton rose prefers a sunny environment and is suitable for growing in a spot with ample sunlight; it is tolerant of partial shade. It likes light and is slightly shade-tolerant; when grown indoors, it is best placed on a sunny south-facing balcony.
Temperature: The cotton rose has poor cold tolerance, so it should be moved indoors in winter, with the temperature kept at 0°C to 10°C to let it go into natural dormancy. The cotton rose prefers a warm, humid climate, and a small humid environment should be maintained for it.
Watering: The cotton rose is not drought-tolerant, and during the growing season it needs sufficient water to meet its growth needs. When the flower buds begin to color, water should be withheld appropriately to control leaf growth and concentrate nutrients in the flowers; watering should be reduced in winter. The cotton rose has a relatively high water requirement, and attention should also be paid to the air humidity of the surrounding micro-environment. During the growing season, sufficient water is needed, and spraying the ground to create humidity in the micro-environment.
Fertilizing: The cotton rose needs more fertilizer and water during the spring bud-break period, and a small amount of phosphorus and potassium fertilizer should be applied before and after the flowering period. Each winter or spring, a ditch can be opened around the plant and some decomposed organic fertilizer applied to promote vigorous growth and abundant flowers and leaves. During the growing season, fertilizing once every half month is sufficient; apply a top dressing before flowering, and at flowering apply urea plus an appropriate amount of phosphorus fertilizer scattered at the root of the canopy, then water, which can make the flower color more brilliant.
Pruning: The cotton rose is tolerant of pruning and can be pruned into shape as needed; cut up dead branches and fallen leaves to ensure light penetration. In winter, attention should be paid to keeping it warm. It is also best to train its plant shape into a shrub form.
Pests: The common red spider mite is the most common pest and disease of the cotton rose, and it can be sprayed with 73% propargite 3000-fold solution or 20% amitraz emulsifiable concentrate 1000-fold solution. The harm of the small green leafhopper and the cotton leafhopper should also not be underestimated, and they can be sprayed with 5% carbaryl powder.